Qatar Hosts International Conference on Protecting Journalists in Conflict Zones

Doha, 7 October 2025 – The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) of Qatar, in partnership with the Al Jazeera Public Liberties & Human Rights Centre, will host a two-day international conference on the protection of journalists in armed conflicts on 8–9 October at the Sheraton Doha Hotel. The event will bring together experts, policymakers, and media professionals from around the world to discuss measures for safeguarding journalists and promoting press freedom in conflict zones.
Chairperson of the NHRC, H E Maryam bint Abdullah Al Attiyah, emphasized the urgency of addressing deliberate attacks on media professionals. “The assassination of journalists goes beyond violating the right to life—it silences the voice of truth,” she said. “Such crimes infringe on the public’s right to information and demand a unified response from the global human rights community.”
Director General of Al Jazeera Media Network, H E Sheikh Nasser bin Faisal bin Khalifa Al Thani, highlighted the human cost of reporting from conflict zones. “Al Jazeera has lost many colleagues covering conflicts, including ten killed in Gaza in the past two years, with many others injured,” he said. “The international community must take a firm stance against these systematic crimes and ensure journalists can perform their work without fear of targeting or intimidation.”
The conference will feature seven plenary sessions addressing the legal frameworks protecting journalists, international and national accountability mechanisms, and the challenges and opportunities in promoting press freedom. Discussions will also cover the social and humanitarian impact of violations on journalists, their families, colleagues, and communities.
Key outcomes include proposals for establishing international fact-finding committees, supporting special rapporteurs, monitoring violations, and strengthening partnerships between media organizations and international bodies. The conference aims to consolidate global efforts to prevent impunity, hold offenders accountable, and provide justice and redress for victims of attacks on press freedom.